Startup Liliam Partners with Brazlian Airline Azul To Build Electric Aircraft Network By 2025

German electric jet startup Lilium is partnering with Brazil commercial airliner Azul with goals to create a regional eVTOL network across the country by 2025.

Lilium is planning to sell 220 of its aircraft, that can take off and land vertically, to Azul for one-billion dollars. The company plans to introduce a supercharger that fully charges the electric jet in 30 minutes. The operational costs are set to be 4-6 times cheaper than helicopter operation. The aircraft will be equipped with 6 passenger seats, following the typical business jet feel to provide a familiar cabin experience. 

Chief Strategy Officer Alex Asseily speaks about the details of the aircraft: “The thing that makes the Lilium jet special is that it’s a beautiful synthesis which combines the benefits of a fixed wing aircraft, electric propulsion, but also an aircraft that can take off and land vertically like a helicopter,” he says. “So now you can connect cities point-to-point over regional distances at a fraction of the cost over helicopters and other alternatives.”

Vertiport partnerships have been announced internationally, with Florida being the first state that the company has publicly shared plans. Lilium has partnered with the city of Orlando and other companies, according to a November 2020 press release. 

“Our network will cover up to a 186-mile (300 km) radius, providing the opportunity to connect more than 20 million Floridians, with service accessible to over 100 million annual visitors to the Sunshine State,” says the company's website.

FMI: https://lilium.com, www.voeazul.com.br/en/home